Field Trip: Fluorite and Secondary Lead-Zinc Minerals from Marion, Kentucky<\/p>\n
Site Description: <\/p>\n
The Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar district is world famous for the enormous quantity of huge, gorgeously crystalline purple and yellow fluorite that originated from the now defunct mines near Cave-In-Rock Illinois. Just take a look at the amazing samples on eBay<\/a> to get an idea of the current prices and selections. Many collectors do not know that despite the closure of the by far most significant fluorite localities in the region, there are still places in the area to find gorgeous fluorite. While many of these localities are abandoned mines that require deep underground exploration to retrieve specimens, the mines in Marion, Kentucky have specimen rich dumps that are easily worked by hand from the surface. While aesthetic material is plentiful, many of the workings are quite muddy and messy to dig in. It is important to keep in mind that while many gorgeous specimens can be had with minimal digging, specimens of similar quality to those seen in the nearby Ben E. Clement Museum, which features local minerals, are hard to find.<\/p>\n Perhaps the best central location to access all the mines in the region from is the Ben E. Clement mineral museum (http:\/\/www.clementmineralmuseum.org\/)<\/a>. In the museum, they have many of the finest American fluorite specimens on display. Many are from the collection of the museum\u2019s namesake- a giant in the local fluorite mining industry. It is amazing to see the near infinite color variation that fluorite possesses, especially the great diversity within the region. The museum has scheduled digs for fluorite and other kinds of minerals beginning late April through October. In addition to daytime digs, night digs for fluorescent specimens are held too. The museum can also arrange custom digs. Regardless, pre-registration is required.<\/p>\n Difficulty Level: Moderate<\/p>\n Supplies Needed: The Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum Mineralogy:<\/p>\n The following is a list and brief description of common minerals found at the Marion area mines. <\/p>\n Calcite: A common gangue mineral. Rarely forms crystals good enough to keep. Often fluoresces red.<\/p>\n Cerussite: Very nice cerussite crystals come from the Marion mines and they are often overlooked. Forms colorless to smoky gray highly lustrous crystals associated with galena and hemimorphite. They either occur singly or are twinned and reach about 1cm in size. Crystals have diverse habits.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Image: http:\/\/www.mindat.org\/photo-207070.html<\/a> Caption: Cerussite- Hickory Cane Mine, Marion, KY 17x13mm Steve Bonney Specimen and Photo<\/p>\n Fluorite: The most sought after mineral at the Marion mines. Found in sharp purple cubic crystals with a maximum diameter of about 3cm. Very easy to identify- the only purple colored mineral at any of the local mines. Found as micro to large cabinet sized specimens. The Marion area is world famous for fluorite.<\/p>\n
\nSafety Goggles
\nWater
\nSunscreen
\nInsect Repellant
\nHand Lens
\nCrack Hammer
\nChisel
\nShovel
\nWrapping Paper for Specimens
\nBucket
\nSledgehammer (optional)
\nUV Light (optional)<\/p>\n
\n205 N Walker St., Marion, KY 42064
\n(270)965-4263<\/p>\n